How a visit to the Sydney Swans could turn around Parramatta's season
By Adrian Proszenko
17 April 2018 — 10:00pmThere are not many people you can turn to for advice on how to turn a 0-6 start to a season into a miracle finals appearance. However, Brad Arthur has found one.
Sin Bin can reveal that Parramatta coach Arthur was spotted picking the brain of Sydney Swans coach John Longmire on Tuesday in an attempt to turn the Eels’ season around. The Swans were in a similar predicament last year, slumping to six straight losses despite being one of the fancies for the title. Like the Eels, they were down on confidence and it appeared their year was over before it even began. Yet, somehow, the Swannies suddenly clicked, winning 14 of their last 16 games to finish the regular season in sixth spot. They then went on to beat Essendon in the first week of the finals before bowing out to Geelong.
Outside the box: Brad Arthur has picked the brain of Sydney Swans counterpart John Longmire.
Photo: AAPThe AFL may be the NRL’s greatest competitor but Longmire was only too happy to grant Arthur an audience to share his insights into how the club turned things around. The pair chatted for over an hour on Tuesday afternoon, tossing up ideas and perspectives.
While the details of what was discussed will likely stay between the pair, it is clear that things need to change at Parramatta. The side finished fourth last season, papering over cracks that have emerged at the club. Arthur is the first to admit that he has to take some responsibility for the poor start, but suggestions he has lost the dressing room are way off the mark. Our mail is that some individuals with vested interests - including a player manager pitching an Arthur replacement - is among those spreading the rumour about player revolt. If anything, Arthur has been too loyal to players who have not repaid the faith through performance.
“It’s certainly my understanding that Brad has not lost the dressing room,” said Eels CEO Bernie Gurr.
“He still has the ear of the players and they respect him very much.”
This is the time the club needs to support the coach. Arthur knocked back offers to join other clubs, including a $1 million-per-season offer from Manly, to stay loyal and help the club emerge from the salary cap saga.
However, there’s a feeling out west that he has too much on his plate. The football club is under pressure to cut costs after posting losses of $22 million over the past two years and it appears some corners have been cut. Members of last year’s coaching staff including Peter Gentle, Luke Burt and wrestling coach Brett ‘Bumper’ O’Farrell haven’t been replaced. The blue and golds are also one of the clubs without a dedicated head of footy.
“I’m currently doing it,” said Gurr. “It has worked reasonably well for the 15 months that I’ve been here.
“We’d be remiss not to review the organisational structure of all our departments, including football, to make sure we are on the right track. You need to keep an open mind on these issues.”
Gurr said no corners were being cut in resourcing the playing and coaching staff.
“No, not at all. On the contrary,” Gurr said.
“I’ve said to Brad in recent weeks ‘if you need any assistance anywhere, let me know.’
“If there is anything he needs within the football department, within reason, he will get it. There’s no financial pressure whatsoever on the football department.”
From bad to worse: the Eels' season is in freefall.
Photo: NRL PhotosOther issues are festering. Junior development has been poor in recent years, with the majority of the club’s best young players now plying their trade for arch rivals Manly.
It’s less clear whether the players have begun turning on each other during the losing streak. We can reveal that a member of the leadership group raised the fact that Brad Takairangi was having a drink while in the rehab ward. It turns out that a drinking ban applies only to those players with soft-tissue injuries, which didn’t apply to Takairangi. We’ve also heard that another senior player called for one of the halves to be dropped to Wenty, a suggestion that didn’t go down well with some.
It’s hoped the current barren run will inspire the navel gazing required to address the issues so that the Eels can go on a Swans-like run.
Replies
the only thing the football department needs Bernie is to fire Bradley Arthur
Coaching is coaching. Even Jack Gibson wasn’t afraid to borrow from other sports, as does Bellamy & Bennett.
Brad was so impressed with Wilmont hes decided to go cross code for everything now.
Apparently hes looking to fill out top 30 with ex AFL players next year.
And yes hes got all the questions and subject matter from here no doubt, this is where the real questions are being asked.
In Gurr”s position it would be silly to think he isn’t trying to reduce deficits to make himself look good.
The whole club will suffer.
Fair call, sounds like theres a bit of that going on
I think some here are a little lost.
So much for the bush coach not being able to hire who he wants , I said weeks ago that cost cutting to the footy department were to do with Travel and accommodation for away games , training camps and incidentals and not staff .
BA is a two bit coach who is out of his depth , was his choice to not relplace staff and it was his choice to let previous staff leave . Bernie head of Footy ???
LOL Simo i think you might be in denial bro.
BWAHAHAAHHAHAHAAHAHAAH Brad going to an AFL coach to ask advice lol
So just as i thought, Bernie hasnt cut any funding if he is to be believed, you blokes trying to use that as an excuse will have to do better.
Brett? Fathead?
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